NBA basketball history is actually relatively short compared to its hockey and baseball counterparts. While baseball, for instance, can be traced back to the 1800s, the NBA didn't integrate itself into the fabric of America until after World War II. Just because it's short, however, doesn't mean the history isn't a storied one.
Very Short Shorts: The Early Days
Pro basketball came onto the scene in 1946, with the formation of the Basketball Association of America-the nation's first major market pro league. The Toronto Huskies and the New York Knicks (still in existence today) faced off in the league's first ever game. Gradually, teams such as the NBL's Minneapolis Lakers began to defect to the BAA, and the two leagues would eventually merge in 1949 to create the NBA. In 1954, the league was comprised of eight franchises, all of which are still in existence today-(the Knicks, Celtics, Warriors (then of Philadelphia), Lakers (then in Minnesota), Royals (now the Kings), Pistons (then in Fort Wayne), Hawks (then in St. Louis), and Nationals (now the 76ers).
Landmarks
In 1950, the NBA officially broke the Color Barrier, when Red Auerbach and the Boston Celtics drafted Chuck Cooper-the league's first African American player. It was also at this time the aforementioned Lakers dominated the league to win several championships, thanks in (pun intended) large part to towering center George Mikan, the league's first truly dominant big man. Still, the NBA struggled mightily, thanks in large part to its low-scoring games. To fix this, the league instituted the 24-minute shot clock-which made games more exciting.
Wilt vs. the Celtics Dynasty
In 1956, Boston's Auerbach pulled off a trade with the Hawks for center Bill Russell of San Francisco. With Russell on board, the Celtics went on to win titles in 1957 and 1959-which was the same year they would run into yet another dominant big man. 7'1" Wilt Chamberlain entered the league for the Philadelphia Warriors and put on incredible offensive displays-including a 100-point game in 1962. Still, the Celtics continued to dominate, winning every year that decade until Chamberlain's 1967 76ers finally triumphed. The Celtics would win the next two years, bringing Russell's tally to 11 titles in 13 seasons when he retired in 1969.
Pretty Short Shorts: the 1970s.
The 70s saw a more flashy style of play in the NBA, thanks in part to the Lakers growing popularity in their new home of Los Angeles and the fast-break, team play of the New York Knicks. However, the league would change forever when it merged with the ABA, adding players such as Julius Erving and George Gervin to its roster. The slam dunk would become the NBA's version of the home run-propelling the sport's cult following.
Still Pretty Short Shorts: Basketball's Golden Age
While the NBA was moderately popular in 1979, it still struggled for mainstream media acceptance, with even Finals games being broadcast on tape delay. Therefore, there was no better time for Larry Bird and Magic Johnson to arrive on the scene. Former college rivals, Bird had been drafted by the Celtics, Johnson the Lakers-fueling their own rivalry and that of their respective franchises. The two met in the Finals three times, and won a combined eight championships-cementing the league's place in primetime.
Be Like Mike
In 1984, the Chicago Bulls drafted North Carolina guard Michael Jordan, who would quickly become the most popular player in the history of the game. With Bird and Jordan bowing out by the mid-90s, Jordan brought the NBA to the A-list-appearing in countless television shows and commercials. Thanks to Jordan, the league developed a global following that would see him win six titles.
Longer Shorts: The NBA Today
When Jordan retired in 1999, big man Shaquille O'Neal harkened back to the late Chamberlain, when he and teammate Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to three straight titles. By now, the NBA was all about isolation and one-on-one-leading to lower scores and dwindling television ratings. However by the mid 2000s, the addition of stars like LeBron James and Yao Ming and faster game tempos bolstered the NBA, which now boasts 30 teams and is even considering expansion to Europe. For more information, visit NBA.com.
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